3.10 Post marketing surveillance of herbal medicines

Countries were first asked whether they had a post marketing surveillance system for herbal medicines. If countries responded “yes”, the next question asked whether there is a national system to monitor adverse effects of herbal medicines. If such a system exists, the date of establishment was requested. If the Member State reported that a post marketing surveillance system for herbal medicines did not exist, the next question asked if there are plans to establish such a system.

A total of 114 countries answered the first question regarding the existence of a post-marketing surveillance system for herbal medicines. Fifty-nine countries, or 42%, reported that they had such a system (Figure 38), with many indicating in a comment that the surveillance system is the same as for conventional pharmaceuticals.

Figure 38.Post-marketing surveillance system for herbal medicines

Of those countries that reported the existence of a post marketing surveillance system, 53, or 90%, reported that they also had a national system to monitor adverse effects of herbal medicines (Figure 39). Of these 53 countries, 37 provided information on the year of establishment of national systems to monitor adverse effects of herbal medicines. The majority have been founded in the last 15 years (Figure 40).